Chew Chew

For breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a coffee

0408 470 114

7-11 Norwood Crescent
 Moonee Ponds, 3039

This new breakfast and lunch venue is potentially my new local favourite. I have been watching the venue reincarnate over the past few weeks. What was once a forgettable site is now a triple-fronted rustic haven.

A little Alice in Wonderland, you need to make sure you choose the correct door. There are at least three, but only one will open…

The interior has been done beautifully. Rustic. Exposed brickwork. A long communal table near the entrance offers you a neatly arranged selection of the daily papers. There is a warmer furnished section to the left and to the right, a much brighter, whiter section. But if you don’t want to sit at a table, why not perch on a stool in the window and watch the trains and passengers come and go? What mood are you in?

We choose to sit on the church pew in the warmer, darker section. Above our heads is a shelf of bonsai plants. An interwoven antler-horn chandelier lights the room.

The Gaggia coffee machine is bright green. A standout bench item. I love the way this place is fitted out. Having been recently renovating, I think I know where most of the items have been purchased. Perhaps I am biased because it is consistent with my own home-style? Anyway, I love it (give or take the green machine).

The menu offers a more than decent selection of options. Breakfast is “served all day”. The Panini range is exciting. A selection of sweet treats tempts you from the cabinet next to the green machine. Typically I am a sweet tooth, but today I order the Roast Beef Panini ($10.50).My Company orders the Sausage Panini ($10.50), with broccoli and parmesan. He orders a Chinotto ($3.90), I order a Chai latte ($4). Sorry, not yet able to comment on the coffee!

My Panini is delicious: roast beef; caramelised onions; cheese; horseradish; and baby cos. The onions give just-right sweetness and, despite being toasted, there is a good crunch in the lettuce. My Company’s Panini is very salty, but I think that is to be expected when Italian sausage meets parmesan. If you don’t like salt, steer clear of this option!

The service is cheerful and things are “going really well so far” according to the waitress (I didn’t expect any other answer did I?). There were a number of tables occupied though, so I suppose, like me, all my fellow train travellers have been curiously aware of this place over the past few weeks and are popping by to suss it out. You can’t miss it coming off the train at Moonee Ponds station.

The total bill was $27. Cash only (always a bit of a bugger). So, not cheap, but we were not at all disappointed and will be returning soon. If for nothing else, to sample the coffee!